Metroid: A Tale of Paradox
Disclaimer: Content and affiliations of Nintendo franchise.
Author's note: Well, I've enjoyed writing this enough to continue disregarding that only one person has bothered in giving one single review on the missleading first chapter.
Chapter five, it's what's for dinner! This time we will be discovering the future for Samus with the Chozo, or without them. I'm straying away from the original time line slowly. Samus is destined as the new savior of the galaxy, I'm sure she'll do great, but I wonder how she will handle a few things. O'well, I guess I'll just have to continue the story for you to know, and myself to know. I'm continuing my no-quitting-under-any-reason-other-then-my-death-for-the-reader's-sake-and-my-integrity's policy. May my exemplary moral be fostered by your sentimentally scrutinizing recapitulations in surveying retrospect of my idiosyncratically compiled allegory of aforementioned proceedings. AKA, read & review.
Chapter 5: Old Birds and Old Friends
"Samus!" Old Bird shouted from the base of the hill.
"Bird Grandpa!" The sixteen year-old Samus jumped and skid down the steppe hill to Old Bird.
"What might you be doing up there? Is a new species of dangerous flowers over there again?" Old Bird asked sarcastically.
"Oh, no. I was just thinking."
Old Bird started up the hill. "Come sit on the hill with me, there's soft grass up there."
Samus sat in the shade of a tree with Old Bird. She knew he had something important to tell her, he always did when he sat their, quietly smiling plainly. samus figured he was either hiding the tension behind his smile or thinking of how to tell her in the best words. The one thing he couldn't be was relaxed and at peace as he appeared, no one could be that calm, could they? Though, it was Old Bird after all.
"Samus," Old Bird began," You've become a great warrior, its been proven many times."
Old Bird shuffled around, looking uncomfortable where he was.
"Samus, the Chozo are a rare and dying race, we are no longer at the power to be defenders of the galaxy."
Samus nodded. "And I am to be such for you. I know, you've told me before."
"Samus, the Chozo are leaving entirely, ascending from this plane of the universe. Soon all of us will be gone, even I and Gray Voice must eventually go as well."
"I know, but what will become of you, and Zebes?"
"We will be a higher level of life, where we may be at one with the higher beings, becoming as the spirits ourselves. Zebes will be under the care of Mother Brain."
Samus gripped Old Bird and hugged him firmly, tears dripping.
Old Bird's eyes began to water as well. "I know these will be hard times for you, but stay strong. You will bring peace to the galaxy and to all those within it, I only pray that you may find peace in it yourself."
The two held each other close for a moment before releasing, wiping the tears from their eyes.
"So Samus, what was it you were thinking about?"
"I was thinking of Ridleyagain. He must be out there, alive somewhere."
"The space pirates may have done anything with him. If he is alive, they may have done terrible things to him."
I will find him. Ridley is my brother and I will free him from them!"
"I hope you do, but do not be fooled, they may well be using him, for their misdeeds."
"I won't believe it. even so, he would be relieved to see me."
"You have unfailing love and courage Samus, you will do well."
"Thank you Bird Grandpa, you have been a father to me. I will miss you, but I will see you again."
"We shall all be together one day. You, I, Ridley, and your mother."
Old Bird stood up and began walking down the hill. "Don't be late for dinner, I've made my special, bird stool salad with bonzo coco beans!"
Samus gagged herself silently. "I'll be there in a bit."
Samusrolled on her back, the tree limbs above waved gently in the breeze. She wondered of her future, what danger or excitement laid wait. The universe would need a hero, Samus was prepared to risk all she had to be that hero, she had confidence in herself. She questioned if she could truly find peace herself though, without her family and the Chozo, there was no one else. She would be alone, at least she assumed that would be the out come. She kept one thing in the back of her mind, something that she would accomplish some day no matter how long it took or how impossible it may well turn out. She would find her brother Ridley. When Ridleywas restored, then she could live and die happy. The dream meant nothing.
Samus ate the eschew meal and slept after, rising early with the Chozo as custom.
Samus entered the dew sprinkled courtyard, orange from the morning sun. Old Bird was already up, unusual, and talking with Gray Voice. Before Samus could ease up to over-hear them talking they caught eye of her.
"Samus, you can come over here," Old Bird beckoned.
"You were discussing a private matter Grandpa?"
"Actually, you are in this matter as much as us!"
"Indeed. It involves you too," said Gray Voice.
"Well, please fill me in!"
"First of all, we congratulate you on your successful mission on Jigrad, you've proven your worth on that!" Old Bird stated. "The news is simply that I'm going away on urgent business, being that I and Gray Voice are the few of the Chozo that remain here, we need you to help Gray watch over Zebes. What ever Mother Brain can't handle."
"I can do that for you, what is the important business?"
"It is to be kept secret, I am not wholly understood of the matter myself, if that makes you feel any better."
"It doesn't."
"I know you will be fine without this old bird, I just worry about you is all."
"We'll be fine, I'd be more worried about you bird grandpa. You keep safe, okay?"
"Certainly. Gray, I'll inform you as soon as I arrive."
"Good. We'll be waiting for you," Gray Voice responded.
"Hurry back!"
"I will, but you have to give those in their age some time. I'll be back before you know it!"
The three said their good byes and walked separate ways.
The next three days were regular and dull for Samus, minus a witty Chozo to talk to made it all the more unbearable. She noticed strange behavior in Gray Voice and Mother Brain during Old Bird's absence, though she didn't see them all too often to know all their quirks and behaviors. She did grow suspicious though, which lead her to be snooping in Tourian that afternoon. What she found, while hiding behind a steel column, was Gray Voice talking to Mother Brain. Samus listened in to over-hear what they were discussing.
"Yes, that will work. I just hope your pirates honor their word," said Gray Voice.
"Their leader should be here shortly, we will discuss the matter further then," said Mother Brain, communicating through its hovering orb.
"Old Bird will be difficult, but if he doesn't join, Samus would be even harder. I cannot say the out come for those two, they stick together pretty well."
"Then we will either have to attain both, or eliminate them," replied Mother Brain.
"Hopefully for the better."
Gray Voice turned and walked out of the room, Samus creeping around the column as he passed. Mother Brain started to proceed through the same door, but the hovering orb stopped short of the doorway. Mother Brain sensed Samus by its thermal sensors.
"Hello, who is in here?!" It asked.
Samus was hesitant to walk up to Mother Brain as she always had, being broken from her dull day into a world of conspiracy, but then again, why should she fear a floating ball? Samus stepped from behind the column.
"It's me, Samus."
"Oh, Samus. Have you been there long?" Mother Brain said in a monotone mechanical voice, with a hint of surprise and worry.
"I've heard plenty."
"My sensors indicate you're tensed, perhaps you should follow me, we will go find Gray Voice."
"I heard about the pirates and about me and Old Bird. I'm not interested!"
"Samus, surely you should think rashionally about this, we would make you and elder Old Bird pirate lords."
"Pirate lords? What, are you their master now?"
"The pirates are serving under me for reasons I've given them."
"I will not be involved in your scheme, Mother Brain, and I can't believe Gray Voice is in on this."
"Gray Voice is a pirate lord himself, certainly if he sees the light of this, Old Bird will as well."
"I Doubt that completely, Old Bird will try to put a stop to this!"
Gray Voice returned to the room after he realized that Mother Brain had not exited yet, what he found was unpleasant to his plans.
"Samus, what are you doing here?"
Samus turned to Gray Voice with confused hatred and sadness. "What is going on Gray? I've heard of a betrayal with the space pirates!"
"Samus, try to understand, Mother Brain is joining us with the space pirates for the good of the universe. We intend to do great things together."
"I know of the space pirates, blood and destruction is all they live for! I must tell Old Bird of this!"
Samus rushed for the door, slipping through Gray's talents as she passed through the door and into a hallway. Mother Brain chased her, the orb's blue glow changed to red and energy beams shot out from it. Samus leaped to avoid the beams and bounced off the wall in a continuing roll.
The next door to exit the hall was directly in front of her, already open. Samus slapped the controls on the side of the door as she passed, resulting in a metal ding sound produced by Mother Brain ramming into the closed door behind her. Samus continued to run, she ran to her room, grabbed all her gear and activated her power suit.
Mother Brain caught Samus heading for her ship and chased her down. Samus was startled by a blast of energy dissipating on the ground beside her, she turned to see the crimson glowing orb assailing her. Samus ran backwards as she tried to aim her hand cannon at the dancing ball. Her third shot managed to knock Mother Brain to the ground, only momentarily.
Samus entered her ship and started up the controls. Mother Brain was raising up again, it began firing upon the ship. Samus was worried, until she noticed that Mother Brain's attack had no effect on her ship. Samus started the engines and shot up from the planet's surface.
Gray Voice arrived at the ship's landing bay just in time to see Samus leaving the atmosphere.
"I failed to stop her, I don't know if she can be a threat to us," said Mother Brain.
"Oh, she surely could be," replied Gray Voice. Thank goodness she got away. Now at least I won't have to worry about her.
Samus was frantic in her ship, tears were pouring from her eyes, blinding her as she tried to operate the controls. hundreds of thoughts ran through her mind, mostly of confusion. The one thought she could hold on to was of finding Old Bird, then she could be relaxed with his wisdom for the situation. Only, she didn't know where he went. She scanned for the nearest planets, none too close. She decided to either go to Tallon IV with other Chozo, maby they could help her, or to a Galactic Federation controlled planet and inform them that pirates were coming to take over Zebes. Samus decided that the Federation could have the better means of fighting pirates, she had worked with them before, may be her relationship with them would help.
Samus set coarse for a nearby Galactic Federation fleet.
The Commander of the pirate armada sat in his high throne above all the blinking lights of the control panels and those operating them in the bridge. He viewed Zebes come into existence through the bridge's transparent shield. He could see his small fleet that surrounded his ship; four grand battleships, six frigates and his capitol destroyer, which hid the rest under its looming shadow, nearly tripling in size of the other battleships.
When they neared the planet, the destroyer entered the atmosphere while the other ships sustained orbit. The ship landed in a prepared docking bay with Gray Voice and Mother Brain standing, and hovering, in wait. The ships' landing gear spread from the hull and dust flew from the force of the ship's thrusters.
"Shutdown the ship, we won't be leaving for a while," said the commander to the bridge crew as he left the room. The commander exited his ship out the side ramp, walking onto an extended platform, Gray Voice and Mother Brain came to greet him.
"Greetings Commander Ridley, it is an honor to meet you in person," Gray Voice humbly announced.
"The pleasure is mine, witnessing the pirate's former enemy greet me as an allie is a rare and wonderous thing to behold. It is good we have come together."
"Yes, Mother Brain has much to offer. The idea of bringing peace to this universe, for the Chozo, pirates, and all those who are under the corruption of the Galactic Federation."
"Indeed. And this is the masterful Mother Brain?"
The floating orb drew nearer to the dragon, releasing a short stream of computerized beeps as it approached. "Greetings lord Ridley, I am the designated aurora unit known as Mother Brain. There is much for you to be informed of."
"Yes, may we go inside? You may recieve the tour of the place while we inform you of the present situation and discuss what you may wish before us."
Ridley cocked his head for a moment, scanning the horizon of the planet, searching for signs of other vessels. "I was told there were others who were set as lords, have they yet to come?"
Gray Voice smiled. "No lord Ridley, lets just say that there size and form require specific care of them. They are inside the complexes of the planet now. We will meet them as we traverse through."
Ridley turned his head a one-eighty to his ship and nodded, informing his crew to secure the ship, then turning back towards Gray Voice. "Very well, may we proceed then?"
"Right this way. Mother Brain may began by informing you of the situation we are at presently and what plans she holds for us in the matter."
The new pirate lord followed his hosts through the complexes of the planet, first seeing Criteria and its green luster. It was a refreshing sight to see for the powerful dragon, who for long had the rarity of seeing such beauty in his life with the pirates. It was far more pleasurable than that acidic grounds of the pirate homeworld, which his maturing scales had no problem enduring now. Many friendly creatures filled the scene, crawling on the rocky walls or flying over vibrant flowers. A thought entered his mind as he gazed upon the whole of the scene. Ridley cracked a smile as the thought appeared visually in his mind's eye. The thought of seeing it all ignited in black flames filled Ridley with a lust he now felt all too often.
Ridley found himself nodding subconsciously as the conversation continued, he soaked in most of the what was said, but he couldn't help but examine his surroundings at the time.
"And this is Brinstar, lord Kraid resides here."
Ridley had his hand held out to snatch a two-legged hopping creature, but withdrew as he heard Gray Voice speaking again after the elevator ride. "Kraid is it? May we be introduced?"
"Of course. We will head that way now."
Mother Brain raised itself in front of Ridley at eye level with him, flashing blue as it spoke. "Being the highest threat to the Galactic Federation at present, how controllable are your pirate followers? I've not the experience of learning their intelligence level personally."
Ridley closed his eyes and smiled as they continued walking. "Overall, they are a blood thirsty, warring race, but that does not hinder there intellect to build and work together. You know the pirate technology has rivalled that of the Galactic Federation, even if some of it was inspired by feds. Other than that, I find few and rare those that are of profound understanding whom I can speak with as equal knowledge and character, but they are there."
"Interesting. Yes, we have witnessed the technology of the pirates through various struggles in the past."
Gray Voice had gone ahead of the two and was waiting beside a blue door as they arrived. "Lord Ridley, we are here. beyond this door is Kraid. As a forewarning, you may feel a bit small in stature in comparison to him."
Ridley raised a brow. "Why? Is he Farly advanced?"
"He is quite advanced in technology, but that is aside from what I meant. There are few rooms we could find to fit him. The forty meter tall room on the other side leaves but a few feet of head space for him."
"How can that be? what sentient species can be so tall?"
"Their race is not like him. He is the tallest of any of them, and he is so by his own doing. Kraid is an expert with genetics, so brilliant he mastered the ability to cause his body to grow exponentially, without any apparent consequences, though he seems to have trouble reversing it."
Ridley laughed on the inside, but it showed through his face. "I could think of a few reasons why he'd do that, but seriously, that is amazing!"
Gray Voice opened the door and beckoned them to follow. "Indeed it is."
"This is the Vixin IV, your request has been confirmed. You are free to dock in sub-bay twelve, over."
Samus took manual control of her ship, directing it into the opened side bay of the Galactic Federation ship. Only three hours had past since the unforeseen event on Zebes, yet Samus had gained control of her emotions and began thinking logically of the situation. Samus was trained well, even though she had been betrayed by the very ones she had come to love as a family, the hopes of resolving it kept her head on straight.
Three crew members came to escort Samus to the bridge when she docked her ship. Through some corridors and up a couple of elevators later, they arrived at the bridge. Amongst all the crew manning the controls and systems within the bridge stood the commander of the Vixin IV, a stout young man, with the stern authoritative look of a true military soldier. The commander turned from his post to face his present guest, examining her in an exotic armor.
"Welcome to the Vixin IV, my flag ship. When you sent your message to us, I could detect the tensity in your voice. What is the situation you have to inform us of my lady?"
Samus caught something familiar about the commander of the ship, he even sounded as if she knew him. "Sir, a conspiracy has taken hold of my home planet Zebes. The chozo are in danger, there are space pirates involved!"
"Really?" The commander rubbed his chin, "Please inform."
"I over-heard our aurora unit speaking with the Chozo Gray Voice of using the pirates in a scheme to bring the galaxy to peace. how can they say such a thing about pirates, I've seen what they do, nothing but blood thirsty monsters! I was found and barely escaped from them."
"Are you certain? I know the space pirates' deeds, but the Chozo couldn't be involved with them, they have been the pirates' enemies fall as long as the Galactic Federation has known them. I'm sorry but I doubt it can be just as you say."
"But you must come! I don't know where else to go and I can't find Old Bird to ask him what I should do! At least go to Zebes and see if what I say is true, you must believe me!"
"Calm down miss, I'm not simply throwing your case out the window, but how do I know I can trust you? This could be a trap, and the space pirates could be using you against us!"
"Samus fell on her knees before the commander with her helmet faced down. "Then I'll have to go back by myself, but I don't know if I can even do anything. If what they said was true, there could be hundreds of pirates there already. I can't give up!"
"You have much spirit, reminds me of someone I once knew long ago, though she died on K2L years back. I'm sorry Lady but I-"
Samus jerked her head up in amazment, she knew who she was talking to. "Adam! Adam Malcovich!?"
The commander slipped back in surprise. "Wha... You are, but that's impossible! Sam?"
Samus marveled, how could she not know that her best friend had survived that attack by the pirates years ago. This was impossible, and at such a convenient time. Samus removed her helmet, revealing her long blond hair and blue eyes.
"Why, Samus! It is you! My word, this is fantastic! I had always hoped you had survived! What a miracle indeed! You've been on Zebes this whole time?"
"Yes, and what are you? Captain of a Federation ship? I always knew you'd be in the federation."
"Not a captain, I am general Adam Malcovich, and this is my flag ship Vixin IV. I'm one step below admiral!"
"But you're only seventeen, how could you get such a rank at a young age?"
"It's a long and segmented story. Let's just say my respect from the Federation began with my actions on K2L, the day of the pirate attack."
"you've always been a soldier Adam. I'm still so amazed that I've found you!"
Samus was then met by Adam's grip around her suit, she gripped him back with more strength then Adam was expecting.
"...you've apparently gotten stronger since last we met."
Samus laughed aloud, Adam felt as joyful with her and laughed along as well. "Oh, why couldn't this day have come sooner. I do miss those days."
"I do too, but the past is behind us. Did anyone else escape that you know of?"
"Not that I know of, except Ridley, but he was carried away with the pirates when they came."
"I'm sorry to hear that, I miss him too."
"Ya, but he may still be out there. I'll find him."
"As big as he is, of course."
Samus could have talked with her new-old friend till she fainted from lack of breath, but she couldn't forget her Chozo family. "Adam, you must do something, I'm certain the pirates are up to no good, please."
Adam returned to his military stance and voice. "Well Samus, I'm sure I can trust you. I will investigate the matter, but you must give me a few days before we go there. I have urgent business to attend to else where, but I promise as soon as that is done we will go to Zebes."
Samus nearly cried from the relief. "Thank you Adam, I mean, general Malcovich."
"Please Samus, I'm still just Adam to you. You may stay on the ship if you will while I run my duties before we leave for Zebes if you'd like. So, any objections lady?"
"Of course not Adam. Just get your stuff done so we can go!"